Tikkun Olam and MVP (Mitzvah of Valuing Philanthropy)

Publicity:
http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=29991e75-b3b2-4e6b-9fec-6f262c163a1b

Our Understanding:

Our Inspiration:

Universe of Obligation:

"The circle of individuals and groups toward whom

obligations are owed, to whom rules apply, and whose injuries call for amends."


- From Accounting for Genocide by Helen Fein (Free Press, 1979)

אם אין אני לי מי לי? וכשאני לעצמי מה אני? ואם לא עכשיו אימתי? י

פרקי אבות א:יד


If I am not for myself who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

-- Pirkei Avot 1:14

Moving beyond ME-WE-THEY


TERM 1: Exploration of Self

אם אין אני לי מי לי?י - If I am not for myself who will be for me?


Theme: As Jews, we are each individuals, but part of a larger collective
  • Understanding Identity by Understanding Your Name
  • Origins & Collective Memory: From where do we come and what are national memories?
  • The mitzvah of שמירת הבריאות/protection of health and well-being

Major Project: ROOTS & WINGS

Lessons 2 & 3 - What's in a Name? How Our Names Contribute to Our Identities

The Grave Marker Project
MSNBC
NYTimes

Korah's Name
Torah and Rashi's Commentary
Rashi on 16:1
ben Yitzhar ben k'hat ben Levi. But it does not mention "son of Jacob",
for he sought mercy over his name, that his name would not be mentioned
with regard to their dispute, as it says, 'With their congregation do not join
my honor' (Gen 49:6). And where is Jacob's name mentioned with reference
to Korah? When the lineage is given regarding 'the platform' in the Book of Chronicles, as it says, 'son of Eli'asaf son of Korah son of Yitz'har son of
Levi son of Yisra'el.' (I Chronicles 6:22-23)
Name Meanings
http://www.name-meanings.com/
http://www.meaning-of-names.com/
http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/jew.php
http://www.etymonline.com

7A Names and meanings
Hello My Name Is



Lessons 4-6

My Name Lineage (Where Do Names Come From?) & Collective Memory

Lesson 4


לכל איש יש שם


Everyone Has a Name
You Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RQTgw63Ots&feature=related

Lyrics: http://www.hebrewsongs.com/song-lecholishyeshshem.htm

Lesson 5


Collective Memory
Screen_shot_2011-10-11_at_1.55.06_PM.png

Remembering: I Stood With Abraham Poem:

Lesson 6


Remembering: I Stood With
Writing your own "Remembering" poem based on selections from your collective memory.

Lessons 7-10 - Roots & Wings

Lesson 7
- Assignment and detailed explanation of the project
- Interview assigned for next week
Lesson 8
- Assignment of the narrative essay for next week & in-class working time
Lesson 9
- Peer editing of Narrative Essay and in-class working time
Lesson 10
- Roots & WIngs Due & Peer Evaluation

Lessons 11-14 - Sh'mirat Hab'ri'ut Unit

Lesson 11 - Bridging from Roots & WIngs

Reflection on the Term So Far


We will take 10 minutes for you to reflect on the following 3 questions. You can write out full answers or just take notes to yourself.

After 10 minutes, we will go around the class and each person will share the MOST IMPORTANT idea that emerged from your thinking about these three questions.
1) How did our assignments in Tikkun Olam this term facilitate your coming to a better understanding of yourself and your identity?

2) What are some things that you learned about yourself this term, specifically in connection to this course?

3) Why is this course a core subject of the Grade 7 curriculum?

Responding to Quotations on the Theme of "Self"


Lesson 12 - שמירת הבריאות Text Study

TEXT 1:
By keeping the body in health and strength, one walks in the ways of God...[Therefore] it is a person's duty to avoid whatever is harmful to the body and to cultivate habits that lead to good health.
-- Rambam/Maimonides
TEXT 2:
According to legend, one day, as the great sage Hillel was leaving class, a student asked,
"Where are you going?"
"To the bathhouse to perform a religious duty, a mitzvah," Hillel answered.
"What religious duty could possibly be fulfilled there?" asked the young man in surprise.
"Bathing, of course," replied Hillel.
"I don't understand," said the student. "Why is bathing a religious duty?"
"As you know," Hillel responded, "cleaning statues that are created in the image of the king is considered an important and distinguished responsibility. How much greater, then, is the obligation to care for the human body, which is created in God's image."
TEXT 3:
The Torah tells the story of how God created the first person from dust and then blew the breath of life, a n'shama, into him. Thus, our tradition teaches that since Creation, every person receives at birth a n'shama, a personal connection with God, a divine spark of holiness that glows inside the body.

The ancient Jewish pihilosopher, Philo of Alexandria, whose writing focus on biblical stories, taught, "The body is the soul's house. Shouldn't we, therefore, take care our house so that it does not fall to ruin?"
TEXT 4:
Before he died, Rabbi Zusya said to his students, "In the world to come, I will not be asked, 'Why weren't you Moses?' I will be asked 'Why weren't you Zusya?' "

Questions to prepare for your presentation of your text to the class?

1) Who is the master teacher of this text? When (years and rabbinic period) did this master teacher live?
2) What does this text say about the relationship between humanity and God?
3) What is the obligation that is the consequence of this relationship?
4) What specific behaviour(s)/action(s) does this text recommend to the reader in order to fulfill this obligation?

Sh'mirat Hab'ri'ut con't

Lesson 13 - What does a שמירת הבריאות lifestyle look like?

My שמירת הבריאות resolutions for 2012.


Lesson 14 - שמירת הבריאות in the media


TERM 2: Exploration of Universe of Obligation

וכשאני לעצמי מה אני? י - If I am only for myself, what am I?

...Uvimkom she'ein eesh...Pirkei Avot 2:6

In a place where there is no (upstanding) man, try to be an (upstanding) man.

Lesson 15 - What Does JEWISH Adulthood Mean to YOU?


Lesson 16 - Introduction to the M.V.P. Project and the ETHICAL COMMANDMENTS in the Torah


Lesson 17 - Which Ethical Mitzvah is the One I Would Like to Have Fulfilled through M.V.P.


Lesson 18 - The Issues Which My Mitzvah Has to Face - Presenting Research and Narrowing the Focus


MVP - Preliminary Agency List


7B
7A
מתיר אסורים - Overcoming Limitations
BC Wheelchair Basketball Society - Jared
Right to Play - Danielle
BC Center for Ability - Ethan & Itamar
Water Team - Yuval
Canucks Autism Network - Leora

סומך נופלים - Supporting Those in Adversity
Canuck Place - Adam & Jacob
Ronald McDonald House - Adam S.

רופא חולים - Healing the Sick
Looking Glass BC - Eden & Leeor
Heart & Stroke Foundation - Sappir
C.H.I.L.D. Foundation - Noah
Kelty Resource Center - Eden K.
Aaron's Apple - Aimee
Child's Play - Josh
Hannah's Heroes - Sophie
Joint Distribution Committee/Dr. Rick Hodes -
Benjamin

רופא חולים - Healing the Sick
אהבת ציון - Love of Zion/Israel
Hadassah WIZO/Hadassah Hospital - Daniel


צדק, צדק תרדוף - Pursing Justice
Because I Am a Girl - Michelle & Ashley

מאכיל רעבים - Feeding the Hungry
צדק, צדק תרדוף - Pursing Justice
Oxfam Canada - Elle
רופא חולים - Healing the Sick
מתיר אסורים - Overcoming Limitations
Little Travelers - Talia & Daniel

מאכיל רעבים - Feeding the Hungry
סומך נופלים - Supporting Those in Adversity
Potluck - Justine

סומך נופלים - Supporting Those in Adversity
Covenant House - Jordan
Cambodian Children's Sanctuary - Tal

שמירת הבריאות - Safeguarding Your Health & Well-Being
Kids Help Phone - Justin & Saul

רופא חולים - Healing the Sick
Walter Sisulu Pediatric Cardiac Foundation - Eli
First Candle - Shayna & Rachel
Alzheimer's Society - Maya Y.

אהבת ציון - Love of Zion/Israel
פקוח נפש - Saving a Life
Magen David Adom - Josh & Lis

רודף שלום - Pursuing Peace
Peace It Together - Elan
citizenU - Julia & Inbal

לא תשיך לאחיך - Do Not Charge Interest on a Loan
סומך נופלים - Supporting Those in Adversity
Hebrew Free Loan Association - Braden

בל תשחית - Safeguard the Environment/Do Not Waste
Evergreen - Eytan
World Wildlife Fund - Maya P.

ושננתם לבניך - Teach Your Children Diligently
Free the Children - Elena & Adam


TERM 3: Taking Action in the Real World


7B
JOSH
7A
BRADEN
JUSTINE
Tuesday,
April 17th
12:25-12:45 - Yuval
12:45-1:05 - Ashley & Michelle
1:05-1:25 - Adam S.
1:25-1:45 -
2:00-2:20 - Lis & Josh
2:20-2:40 - Tal
2:40-3:00 -
3:00-3:20 -
Wednesday,
April 18th
12:25-12:45 - Ethan & Itamar
12:45-1:05 - Eden & Leeor
2:00-2:20
2:20-2:40 - Eli
Tuesday,
April 24th
12:25-12:45 - Aimee
12:45-1:05 - Elle
1:05-1:25 - Eden K.
1:25-1:45 - Benjamin
2:00-2:20 - Elan
2:20-2:40 - Adam & Elena
2:40-3:00 - Daniel & Talia
3:00-3:20 -
Wednesday,
April 25th
12:25-12:45 - Sophie
12:45-1:05 - Adam C. & Jacob
2:00-2:20 - Julia & Inbal
2:20-2:40 - Saul & Justin
Tuesday,
May 1st
12:25-12:45 - Leora
12:45-1:05 - Daniel
1:05-1:25 - Danielle
1:25-1:45 - Sappir
2:00-2:20 - Jordan
2:20-2:40 - Maya P.
2:40-3:00 - Maya Y.
3:00-3:20 - Shayna & Rachel
Wednesday,
May 2nd
12:25-12:45 - Noah
12:45-1:05 - Jared
N/A

Ceremony of Giving Preparations:

1) Invitations to Agencies
2) Speech Writing
Introduction: My name is...
Paragraph 1: What the MVP experience means to me. What did I learn? What do I understand? (Universe of obligation, mitzvot...)

Paragraph 2: "I chose _ because..." (do you have a personal connection?) What do they do - go deep? You MUST mention your mitzvah/mitzvot in this paragraph.

Conclusion 1: On behalf of the Grade 7 class, I would like to invite (name and position with the agency) up to the podium to receive the allocation cheque for (name of agency).

Conclusion 2: _(name of agency)_ is not located in Vancouver, so (your contact) is not able to join us today to receive the allocation cheque. S/he sent us (video/letter)___ for today's Ceremony.

Weekly Current Events:

Each week. two students will be assigned to bring current events' reports to our Tikkun Olam class sessions. Students will make no more than a 5-10 minute presentation on the news article of their choice. The news event that you chose must in some way be related to the theme of Tikkun Olam and the concept of "Universe of Obligation." Your presentation should include the following:
1) a BRIEF summary of the news article/event - Reading the article aloud is not a summary.
2) An explanation of how this news event is connected to Tikkun Olam and Universe of Obligation.
3) What מצוה is connected to the issue that is raised by your article?
4) Ideas/suggestions for what can be done to respond to the issue raised by the article or event.

Current Events Presentation Schedule

Date
7A
7B
October 11th
Daniel
Danielle & Benjamin
October 18th
Maya P. & Tal
Sappir & Itamar
October 25th
Inbal & Braden
Leeor & Jacob
November 1st
Jordan & Justine
Noah &Yuval
November 8th
Saul & Talia
Ethan & Ashley
November 15th
Elan & Elena
Daniel & Aimee
November 22nd
Josh & Julia
Elle & Josh
November 29th
Adam M. & Maya Y.
Adam S. & Michelle
December 6th
Rachel & Justin, Maya Y.
Eden K. & Leora,
December 13th
Shayna & Braden
Eden L., Jared, Adam S.



January 10th
Elan & Elena
Daniel & Aimee
January 17th
Josh & Julia
Elle & Josh
January 24th
Adam M. & Maya Y.
Adam S. & Michelle
January 31st
Rachel & Justin
Eden K. & Leora
February 7th
Shayna & Braden
Eden L., Jared & Leeor
February 14th
Saul & Talia
Benjamin & Ethan
February 21st
Jordan & Justine
Noah & Yuval
February 28th
Inbal & Daniel
Jacob
March 6th
Maya P. & Tal
Sappir & Itamar
March 13th
Eli & Eytan
Danielle & Ashley
March 20th
Lis
Adam C. & Sophie